After the completion of the T20I series, Pakistan and Bangladesh are preparing to face each other in the first Test of the two-match series starting from February 07 in Rawalpindi. It’s going to be a very crucial series for both the nations as it’s a part of the World Test Championship (WTC).
The National Committee of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the 16-member squad for the opening Test on Saturday.
Pakistan have made two changes in the squad which played against Sri Lanka recently. All-rounder Kashif Bhatti has been dropped along with left-arm pace bowler Usman Shinwari.
Bowling all-rounder Bilal Asif has been recalled to join the squad. Asif stole the attention of selectors when he picked up 43 wickets in nine Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches. Selectors have also included left-handed batsman Faheem Ashraf in the team. Ashraf, too performed brilliantly in the Quaid-e-Azam tournament. The 34-year-old scored 118 runs in three games at an average of 59. He also took eight wickets.
After Rawalpindi, the second Test will be played in Karachi from April 5. Bangladesh will also play a single ODI game before the final Test on April 3.
Pakistan Squad:
Azhar Ali (c), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Asif, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Shaan Masood, Yasir Shah.
